It seems only yesterday when my Dad passed from
his earthly life. October 18, 1990. Crowded into a
tiny phone booth in Schweindorf, our two children
and I had a tearful conversation with my Dad.
He was dying of cancer and did not want me to
return home for a funeral in the midst of my
Fulbright teaching experience. Trying to explain
to small children is often difficult. Although my
Dad promised to wait for my July return to the
U.S., It was not to be. He died just shy of his
November birthday. Our children went to Maria
Buch, a small chapel near the Abbey in Neresheim.
There I sang Amazing Grace to my Dad and prayed
he as in a happy place in heaven. Unknown to us,
a man had quietly entered the chapel. On the
way out, I spoke German to him and said I
hoped I had not disturbed his prayer. On the
contrary, this angel on earth told me that his
wife had died on October 18 some twenty years
previously. He spent time with her each year.
He thanked me for singing and after wishing one
another well, I reminisced that there are indeed
angels amongst us. Today’s post will concluded
with a poem from my book for my Dad.
Just died
Got the news
Today.
He died.
Didn’t wait
For me to return.
Grief and sadness.
Sang Amazing Grace
In the tiny German chapel
In English.
And thought of
My father
With loving sadness.
Beautiful post mom!! I love the photos and memories. One amazing guardian angel ❤️
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Thanks, Emily, for such a lovely comment. We have many angels on earth and now Grandpa is a Guardian Angel. Enjoy the weekend.
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Beautiful, Miriam… ❤ xo
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Mary Ann, this is so beautiful… ❤ xo
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Bette – thank you for the comment. I am happy it touched your heart. I hold my angel close to mine too. Have a great weekend. Last few rays of warmth before the snows. oxox
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Thanks, Bette. Peace and blessings to you. Mary Ann oxox
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Trees are getting bare, north winds in the air… It’s been a glorious autumn. Enjoy your weekend, dear Mary Ann! Peace and love my friend… ❤
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Bette – to you, my dear, as well. Short but glorious autumn here as well. Trying to enjoy the weekend and take in an opera tomorrow. Blessings and peace. oxox
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A sad, but also a heart-warming story, which makes us believe that we have indeed angels amongst us! They may not appear to us like in pictures and paintings, yet their angelic presence shines through to us in their kindness and compassion. Have a blessed weekend, Mary Ann!
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So kind of you to comment, Peter. You also feel the presence of the divine amongst us as angels. It touches my heart as I smile and consider the compassion. Thank you so much for your wishes. May you have a peaceful and blessed weekend and week ahead too, Pete. Life is short. Treasure your loved ones. oxox
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How touching!
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Anne, thank you for your wonderful comment. It touches my heart to remember my Dad and my other earthly angels – you included. May you have a peaceful weekend. oxox
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There are lots of angels around, and you are one, too.
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Anne, such a perceptive comment from you and much appreciated by me. Thank you, lovely angel. Enjoy the great outdoors. oxox
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Mary Ann, what a terrible time for you all those years ago, to be so far away at your father’s passing. I can’t imagine how you felt. Music is an integral part of you and it’s good you could find some solace in the church and your Amazing Grace … bringing peace to this gentleman as well. Hugs xx
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Annika – it was a difficult time indeed. Our children were too young to recall all the details but my faith sustained me and of course my music comforted me. My Dad was a practical man too so I respected his request. I carry his memory with me all the time. Earthly angels are also there to comfort. Enjoy the weekend. Blessings and peace to you and yours. Thank you for your insightful and heartfelt comment. oxox
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These are bittersweet memories, aren’t they? We remember so clearly the terrible grief and distress we felt when our loved one died but this is now tempered by all the other happy memories we have of that person and also the hope that they are in a much better place.
With love oxox
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Clare – perfectly said. Thank you for the comment. Time helps heal wounds. Memories remain to bring smiles again. Have a great week ahead. oxox
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Thank you, Mary Ann. You too oxox
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Thanks. oxox
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Liebe Mary Ann ,
obwohl der Anlaß traurig ist,bewegt die warmherzige Verehrung deines Vaters voller Mitgefühl. Als Dein geliebter Vater meinen Vater in Cologne besuchte, hatte ich die große Ehre einen wundervollen Menschen kennen zu lernen.Wie ich Dir vor einiger Zeit schon einmal berichtet habe,übergab mir Dein Vater eine amerikanische J.F.K.-Gedenkmünze . Ich habe Deinen liebevollen Vater stets in Erinnerung gehabt und werde sein Angedenken auch Zukunft in guter Erinnerung behalten. Bewußt Leben und die guten Dinge im Bewußtsein behalten. Dir Russell und Deiner Familie alles Liebe und Gute für eine glückliche unbeschwerte Zukunft wünschen Euch euere Lilly und euer Arno
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Lieber Arno, danke für Deinen Kommentar und die Erinnerung an die J.F.K. Münze, die mein Vater Dir gegeben hat, als er Dich in Köln besuchte. Mein Vater war ein großzügiger und liebevoller Mensch, daher ist es nicht verwunderlich, dass er Dir eine solche Erinnerung gab, um am Leben zu bleiben. Ich erinnere mich an Deine Mutter und Deinen Vater als liebevolle Eltern, als ich sie vor all den Jahren als Studentin in Heidelberg besuchte. Mögen wir uns beide liebevoll an diese wunderbaren Eltern und Menschen in unserem Leben erinnern! Ich wünsche Dir und der Lilly eine wundervolle Woche und hoffentlich Skiurlaub in Österreich. Alles Gute, Deine Mary Ann ^__^
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